Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
264
Ovid's myths that became a hit in New York, and
Lookingglass Alice,
an acrobatic retelling
of
Alice in Wonderland.
Ensemble member Mary Zimmerman—who directed
Metamor-
phoses
—has built a national r eputation for her creative interpretations of literature, so if
she's directing a show while you're in town, don't miss it. Schwimmer also appears her e
occasionally, as either an actor or a dir ector. Lookingglass shows emphasize visual effects
as much as they do acting, whether it 's having performers wade through a giant shallow
pool or take to the sky on a trapeze.
821 N. Michigan Ave. (at Chicago Ave.).
&
312/337-0665.
www.lookingglasstheatre.org. Tickets $25-$55. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago.
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie
This north suburban
theater is home to the w ell-respected Northlight Theater, the S kokie Valley Symphony
Orchestra, and a series of touring acts, including comics, dance tr oupes, and childr en's
programs.
9501 Skok ie Blv d., Skok ie.
&
847/673-6300.
To r each the theat er, take the Edens
Expwy. and exit at Old Orchard Rd.; go right onto Old Orchard; make a right onto Skokie Blvd.
The theater is at the intersection of Skokie Blvd. and Golf Rd.
Rosemont Theatre
A major v enue for trav eling shows, this is a top suburban stop
for musicals and concerts.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes
and
Bear
and the Big Blue House
are recent shows that have appealed to kids of a wide age range.
5400 River Rd. in Rosemont, near O'Hare Airport.
&
847/671-5100.
Storefront Theater
Every kind of liv ely art, from theater, dance, per formance art,
chamber opera, puppetry, and cabaret to staged readings, finds a home her e. Located in
the Gallery 37 Center for the Ar ts, in the heart of the Loop's revitalized theater district,
this state-of-the-art black box theater provides a forum for Chicago's best artists to show
off their accomplishments.
66 E. R andolph St.
&
312/742-8497.
Sub way/El: Br own Line t o
Randolph.
Studio Theater
Value
When you pop in to the Chicago Cultural Center, you might
find yourself seeing a show here, at an intimate stage. The theater is used as an incubator
space, giving Chicago's best off-Loop theater companies the oppor tunity to shar e their
work with downtown audiences. The Department of Cultural Affairs provides the space
for free to encourage the gr owth of ne w creative talent. Ticket prices ar e kept lo w or
admission is free for select events to allow everyone the chance to enjoy some of Chicago's
best theater.
77 E. R andolph St.
&
312/744-6630.
Subway/El: Brown, Green, Orange, or Purple
Line to Randolph, or Red Line to Washington/State. Bus: 3, 4, 20, 56, 60, 127, 131, 145, 146, 147,
151, or 157.
Symphony Center
Symphony Center is the building that encompasses O rchestra
Hall, home of the Chicago S ymphony Orchestra. Expanded and r enovated a fe w years
back, the building no w includes a six-stor y sky-lit ar cade, recital spaces, and the fine-
dining restaurant Rhapsody. While the CSO is the main attraction (and it 's off-limits to
kids 11 and under), the S ymphony Center hosts a family matinee series, plus a series of
piano recitals, classical and chamber music concerts, and the occasional jazz or pop artist.
220 S. Michigan Ave., btw. Adams St. and Jackson Blvd.
&
312/294-3000.
Subway/El: Red Line to
Washington/State. Bus: 3, 4, 20, 56, 60, 127, 145, 146, 147, 151, or 157.
Victory Gardens Theater
Finds
Victory Gardens is one of the few pioneers of off-
Loop theater that has survived from the 1970s. Highly recommended for a parents' night
out, the company was r ewarded for its unsw erving commitment to dev eloping play-
wrights with a Tony Award for regional theater in 2001—a real coup for a relatively small
theater. The five or six pr oductions presented each season ar e new works, many dev el-
oped through a series of wor kshops. The plays tend to be accessible stories about r
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